Good online alternative parts retailer to Nashbar?

Well, subject says it all. I'm looking for a parts alternative to Nashbar.

Why ? Well at first I was excited at the prospect of doing business with
Nashbar after I previewed their website, which I think is a well done site and looked
like an outfit I'd like to place orders with.

However, I don't use credit cards. I noticed on their online FAQ that only
credit cards were accepted by them. 'Holy Crap', I muttered to myself. Foolishly, I didn't believe
that could be quite right and tried to delve more information on the site related to acceptable payment forms, such as US Postal Money orders, etc. Not having much luck there I emailed them and asked
for specific clarifaction. 'Can I place a web order and use US Postal or personal check as payment options
via web orders or must one use the mail order catalog to use non credit card payment options?

I thought that was a simple enough query.

In a round of FOUR emails I went back n forth with via custserv@nashbar.com I ended up with total
frustration at the inabilty for their rep (same one each time) to answer the query in a straight forward and unambigious manner.
To date I still have no idea if Nashbar will do business with me if I use postal money orders as payment methods or not (via web placed / generated orders). ALl the answers I recieved were so damn vauge and imprecise as to leave me NO CLUE. Yes, I know I can use the check method for mail in orders. Duh.

In the end I have decided it is a sign for me to avoid Nashbar like the plauge. If their customer service
can not answer a straight up SIMPLE question like that in a clear an unambigious manner then most likely if one had problems with an order one would run into bigger problems.

So, bottom line. Are there decent parts retailers around that have as nice (hell better?) web site and
product AVAILABLITY lineup as Nashbar appears to have? ALso, if you reply with alternatives for me
maybe include a jot about customer service rep of the alternative retailer.

I did like Nashbar prices that was for sure but I'm serious about giving up even trying with them if they are this hard to do business with for non CC users out here.

I do have several other sites I've collected from reading here on forums over the months but none of them seem to have been nearly as complete or comprehensive parts selection as Nashbar appears to have.
Thanks.

Did you call Nashbar? That's really a better way to get a direct answer to a direct question, anyway. E-mails are usually responded to with pre-scripted responses that, more often than not, don't appropriately answer the original question. Sucks, but it's reality.

Your reasons for not using CC's are just that: your reasons, but understand that it puts you in a very difficult position for online ordering. You may want to simply call a few other retailers (Excel Sports, Lickton's, Performance, Harris Cyclery, Colorado Cyclist, JensonUSA), or just make it a practice to do business with your LBS on a cash-and-carry basis.

I dont see what your beef is. Many online retailers only take credit card orders for orders placed online. Maybe you can fax in an order and mail a check?

What did they tell you? Maybe they didnt understand your question? What was their reply?

Only 'beef' I had was the inability for the rep to answer a plain straight question. I took it as an indicator
to look elsewhere. Read my post again the query was there plain as day. I am not about the include all the dialogs here suffice to say the query was precise and simple. THe replies *and this took over 5 days worth of emails TOO much time) were all to vauge to make it EXPLICIT if I could simply mail in a check or not for orders generated from a web form.

Others have commented. I do know of places (okay, not bike retailers) that have methods of taking online orders and NOT involving CC's. One can place the order there, get a order reference number, mail in the payment WITH the order reference number.. blah blah. Simple. As for debit cards I'm as loath to use them, more so, than CC's over the web. More so in fact.

I seem to have stepped on Nashbar fan toes. I was hoping to hear about alternative vendors I could look
at that had sites as well layed out.
I hope if this thread generates more replies they offer retailer (online ones) alternatives.

OH, before some of you go ape on me this was not intended to be some bash Nasbar thread. I was looking for alternatives is that so wrong?

Did you call Nashbar? That's really a better way to get a direct answer to a direct question, anyway. E-mails are usually responded to with pre-scripted responses that, more often than not, don't appropriately answer the original question. Sucks, but it's reality.

Your reasons for not using CC's are just that: your reasons, but understand that it puts you in a very difficult position for online ordering. You may want to simply call a few other retailers (Excel Sports, Lickton's, Performance, Harris Cyclery, Colorado Cyclist, JensonUSA), or just make it a practice to do business with your LBS on a cash-and-carry basis.

Good luck!

No, didn't call. The replies were not script either! Took 3 days to get a reply on last round. Yes, it sucks
indeed and I won't bother with them again.

Yeah, I use a local bike shop here. One motivating factor for me to look online though was my recent expendture on spokes for my old clunker 26 inch wheeler. At $1.00 a spoke (nice DT stainless ones though) I felt that was a bit high for that type spoke after seeing online prices for half that for same brand/type that I purchased. Next time I have to go blow 1.00 a spoke for 50 plus spokes I dont' want to feel raped just for doing business with a local bike shop.

I have had great luck with Nashbar. One time they sent the wrong length spokes, i called them up and they said if i ship those back ups overnight they will refund my shipping charges entirely and send the correct length 2nd day air. Not a bad deal

The whole idea of buying online is to save time. If you are going to wait for a check to arrive in the mail, then why bother ordering online. If you are going to send a check or money order by snail mail, then why not just send in your order form in the same envelope?

In today's day and age, I can't understand why anyone wouldn't at least have a debit card. The only reason for not having a credit card would be a recent bankruptcy or being too young to qualify. The idea of not being able to trust oneself with a credit card is baffling to me. If you pay your bill on time there is no cost for using it and it gives you consumer protections that you wouldn't have if you paid by check or money order. Also, contrary to what credit card insurance carriers would have you believe, you are not liable for purchases made if your card is lost or stolen.

My guess is that any on-line retailer would have the same stipulations. The whole shopping cart system that virtually all web retailers use, is designed to balance a merchandise total plus shipping with an equal payment and wrap up the sale cleanly at that time, leaving order pulling and shipping to be completed shortly thereafter.

I think a lot of people get this false image about credit card use online, the media sometimes makes people who are new to this seem like people are getting scammed left and right. When in reality I dont beleive it is any more or less risky than going to a restaurant, whos to say the waiter wont write down your # or something? If your that concerned give paypal a shot. They have some pretty serious securities now in these reputable stores

I think a lot of people get this false image about credit card use online, the media sometimes makes people who are new to this seem like people are getting scammed left and right. When in reality I dont beleive it is any more or less risky than going to a restaurant, whos to say the waiter wont write down your # or something? If your that concerned give paypal a shot. They have some pretty serious securities now in these reputable stores

As long as you take some basic precautions (Firewall, Virus Protection and anti spyware programs that are all available free online) you don'thave anything to worry about.

I am sorry that you are not getting the answers you are looking for. Nobody is trying to be difficult, it is just that the facts in this case are pretty clear:

1.) Many of us (including myself) have done numerous transactions with Nashbar without any problems at all.
2.) Most other web dealers work the same exact way, requiring a cc for an online order. (all the ones i use and am familiar with do.)
3.) There are huge advantages when using credit cards!!

Keep in mind, the reason they are able to get the prices so low is the way that they conduct their buisness... They usually don't have an actual "store" and the credit card payments are fast, requiring little to no work. You sending a check requires allot more work on their end. They have a very small number of employees... creating a very small overhead... creating low prices for you; the consumer.

I don't want to get too much into your personal stuff, but you should consider getting a credit card. I have worked in the credit card industry for over 10 years, and know the buisness pretty well Even if you have crappy credit, or just filed bankruptcy, you can still get a secured credit card with a 500 dollar limit. If you just don't believe in credit, the secured card may work in this case also, because you are just drawing from you own funds! Anytime it is Visa or Mastercard, you automaticly get all kinds of protections... Far to many to mention, but if you need it, i can provide more info. In a nutshell, it is 10 times safer to use credit then cash in any transaction (ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO ONLINE / CATALOG / PHONE ORDERS!!!!)

Debit cards are great too, but there is not as many advantages to using them as with creditor cards. (one example is that it is much harder to dispute a charge on a debit card then a credit card... even if the debit card has a visa / mastercard logo)

anyways, have a good day. remember, we are not trying to agrue with you, we are just providing you with what we know.

Email sucks. Give them a call and talk to a human.
I still do not understand wanting to use the web to place the order and then take the time to mail off a MO. What do you gain?
That said, and believing each to their own, what I would do would be to compile my web order and call em up. Tell them you would like to place an order and have it held in their system until your MO shows up.
Pricepoint oftens slaughters nashbars prices and I've been using them ofter.... just got some avid flak jackets for 19.99
D

I occasionally purchase stuff from Nashbar and have since the late 80s. But on the few occasions (4 or 5) when I've made inquiries regarding a technical aspect of a product, the person on the phone or via email assures me that someone from their "technical dept" will get back to be shortly with an answer. I can say without exception, I've never had a single response from said "dept".

...maybe the original poster doesn't HAVE a credit card. There are people out there who do not. Or maybe he doesn't want to deal with paying bills after the fact. That's not boycotting, that's protecting oneself from irresponsible spending. Not to get philosophical here, but one of the biggest problems for your average consumer in the US is overspending, which can be correlated with the ease of getting a credit card. If we all had to borrow cash--with potential for penalties and interest rates--from our friends every time we were in the store to buy something, would we buy so much? I don't think you have to be boycotting CCs just to come up with the notion not to use them. I don't know many people out there who aren't in debt to CC companies more than they should be, incl. myself. I use them, but I try as much as possible not to, and I can understand why the original poster might not want to either. In essence, maybe his security concerns relate more to his own spending ways than any online, computer worries.

Another retailer I've had great service from is Alfred E. Bike. It's a real store in Kalamazoo Michigan. They seem to have a tremendous amount of stuff in stock for a regular bike shop!http://aebike.com/site/intro.cfm
Good Luck!